Los Angeles-based musician and designer Jade Duncan, who writes and records as Blu Jay has released her latest single, the alt-pop track “Money, Power, Sex, Fame,” produced by Blu Jay, Wayne Jobson (No Doubt, Gregory Isaacs, Toots & the Maytals) and Jack Xander. The song’s tongue-in-cheek social commentary on class and fame is inspired by one of her biggest influences, Lana Del Rey. Like the celebrated and often controversial songwriter, Blu Jay is unafraid to challenge mainstream narratives on cultural events and issues.
What does LA mean to you, since you’re very highly influenced by it?
I’m born and raised in LA. Making me a true LA Girl, The city is so vast and multicultural, with a coastal energy that’s indescribable. We all have that California attitude, and we come from such a mix of environments and cultures. This melting pot of LA inspires me to create music the way I do and truly gives me that West Coast sound.
When did you develop your love for music and fashion?
I’ve always loved music. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 8 years old. As a child, I grew up dancing ballet and looking back, I realize I loved ballet not just for the movement and expression but for the classical music that accompanied it. When I was 13, I joined my first band, and that’s where I discovered my love for writing music, a passion I’ve never turned back from.
My love for fashion grew naturally alongside my passion for music. I’ve always gravitated toward forms of self-expression, and fashion was something I bonded over with my mom, who is a designer. In high school, I started designing clothes, beginning with a pair of pants I created with my boyfriend for him to wear. When people began requesting their own versions, the brand grew from there eating my line “Baby Daddy Momma Drama.” Fashion, like music, has always been a core part of who I am.
Tell us the story behind this single and what inspired it
“Money Power Sex Fame” is a personal reflection on how living in LA, with its intense focus on wealth and fame, can corrupt and change people. This city is vibrant and full of opportunity, but there’s also a darker side—a materialism that seeps into everything. I’ve seen how the pursuit of success here can shift people’s values and lead them down a hollow path. Money Power Sex Fame aims to blend introspective lyrics with a compelling beat to expose the true cost of chasing the LA dream. This track is a statement on the emptiness that often lurks beneath the city’s glamorous surface.
How would you describe your style and attitude in a few words?
I’d describe my style and attitude as an expression of myself. I like to be comfortable but always paying homage to certain fashion eras and a particular love for British and French IT girls and music.
